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Full fee waivers rise 20-fold to 280,000 after healthcare reform, minister says

Full fee waivers rise 20-fold to 280,000 after healthcare reform, minister says
South China Morning Post Saturday 22 August 2026, 07:08 UTC By Cannix Yau 1 min read
Key Points

About 280,000 patients have secured full fee waivers since Hong Kong’s public healthcare fee reform took effect at the start of the year — a 20-fold increase from the previous figure of 14,000, the health minister has said. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau revealed the figures on Saturday as he defended the reform, which raised user fees for non-urgent and less serious services to reduce the government subsidy rate. He said the changes were intended to optimise the use of existing resources...

About 280,000 patients have secured full fee waivers since Hong Kong’s public healthcare fee reform took effect at the start of the year — a 20-fold increase from the previous figure of 14,000, the health minister has said. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau revealed the figures on Saturday as he defended the reform, which raised user fees for non-urgent and less serious services to reduce the government subsidy rate. He said the changes were intended to optimise the use of existing resources and... [Image text:] asc A&E Registration Counter
Hong Kong’s (LOCATION) Health Lo Chung-mau (PERSON)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

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